-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- August 20 , 2010

Swedish prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for Julian Assange amid allegations of rape and molestation from two female Wikileaks volunteers earlier that month . The next day , the prosecutor 's office announces it is rescinding the arrest warrant while the rape charge is unfounded . The molestation allegation remains .

August 31 , 2010

Assange is questioned by Stockholm police and formally told of the charges against him , all of which he denies as a smear campaign . Swedish prosecutors announce the next day that they are reopening the rape case against him , while the molestation charge will be upgraded to sexual coercion and sexual molestation .

November 18 , 2010

Swedish prosecutors announce the courts have approved their request to issue arrest warrants to question Assange , who is now in London . On November 20 , the Stockholm Criminal Court issues an international arrest warrant for Assange , stating he is suspected of several counts of rape , sexual molestation and illegal use of force . Interpol later issues a `` red notice '' upon Sweden 's request .

December 8 , 2010

Assange turns himself in to London police . He is remanded in custody after an extradition hearing finds him a flight risk . On December 16 , the court finalizes its decision to grant him conditional bail . Celebrity supporters rally around him , paying his Â # 240,000 -LRB- $ 376,000 -RRB- bail and providing a mansion for his house arrest .

February 7 - 24 , 2011

Assange attends extradition hearings at London 's Belmarsh Magistrate 's Court , which ultimately rules in support of his extradition to Sweden . Assange then launches an appeal at the High Court .

November 2 , 2011

After a series of hearings in July , the British High Court defers its decision until November , ultimately ruling against Assange 's appeal . Assange has two weeks to seek the court 's permission to appeal to the Supreme Court .

December 5 , 2011

The High Court announces that Assange will be allowed to appeal its decision on the legal technicality of whether the Swedish public prosecutor is a judicial authority , a status needed to sign an arrest warrant . The case now moves to the Supreme Court , Britain 's highest judicial authority .

May 30 , 2012

The Supreme Court denies Assange 's appeal against his extradition to Sweden , but in an unusual move , grants him permission to file an appeal . On June 14 , it dismisses his application to reopen his appeal .

June 19 , 2012

Assange flees to Ecuador 's embassy in London to request political asylum . London police say he is subject to arrest for breaking the terms of his bail by seeking asylum .

August 15 , 2012

Ecuador 's foreign minister , Ricardo Patino , says his government will announce its decision on Assange 's asylum request the next day . He says Ecuador received written notice from British authorities that they would `` assault '' the country 's embassy in London if Assange was not handed over .

August 16 , 2012

Ecuador announces it has granted asylum to Assange because it believes he will be politically persecuted if extradited . The UK says it is disappointed by the decision and will not grant safe passage out of the country to Assange , who has now been holed up inside Ecuador 's embassy in London for nearly two months .

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Ecuador grants asylum to Assange , who remains holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London

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UK police say they will not grant safe passage to Wikileaks founder

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Ecuador Foreign Minister says British authorities have threatened to `` assault '' embassy